I bit my lip and tried to contain my smile, but I didn’t think it was possible.
Gosh, this man. How could I ever doubt him? He had looked after my daughter and dog, he’d cooked for me and was alwaysthere ready to help out in any way he could, like he’d done at the Grill. How could I have ever thought he wasn’t right for me?
I hated to admit it, but he fit into my life like the missing, but crucial, piece of an intricate puzzle.
Was it possible he wanted to be part of this puzzle that was my life? I knew he’d said he felt the same way I did, that he wanted to date me despite how scary it was that we felt so strongly so quickly, but still, this was something else. Something more. Did he really want to sign up to be not just part of my life, but part of Ella’s too?
“Go on. Get.” He patted my knee, and I did as told.
I retreated to my bedroom, stripped off my clothes, and jumped in the shower where I could wash away my worries and fears along with the ash and soot. When I came back out, I felt refreshed. Tired but refreshed.
As soon as I walked into the kitchen, there was a hot plate of risotto and hot coffee waiting for me on the kitchen island, and Ella was in Samir’s arms.
“Hi, sweetie—” I started but she just leaned against his shoulder and slept again, completely ignoring my presence and my greeting.
“Should I put her in her bed? Do you have a monitor so we know when she wakes?” he whispered.
I nodded.
“It’s clipped on her bed so I don’t forget to take it with me when I put her down,” I whispered back, and he walked off to my bedroom as if he’d done it a hundred times before. As if it were part of his routine.
He returned with the monitor and a happy smile.
“She’s so sweet. She wanted to wait for you, so we were watching TV and played with her toys a little. She nodded off a little before you came back. And so did I, apparently.”
I smiled.
“Did she wipe you out?”
“No.” He laughed. “I think the warmth of the house and Honeybee’s body inspired me to nap.”
“This is delicious, by the way. You didn’t need to go through the trouble.”
He waved me off.
“No trouble. I was hungry and so was Ella, so it made sense.”
Gosh, this guy.
“You must be desperate to get back to work,” I said. “If you want to go, I’ve got it here.”
He raised an eyebrow.
“Are you trying to get rid of me?”
I dropped my fork and grabbed his hand.
“No! Of course not. I want you to stay. But don’t feel like you have to. I know you have a store to look after.”
“I want to stay too,” he said. “If you want me.”
I nodded, and he gave me a fleeting kiss on the lips, then got up to pour himself some coffee.
I inhaled the risotto in the meantime, and by the time I was done, I was so heavy I could barely keep my eyes open.
“I think I need a nap.” I yawned.
“Of course. I’ll leave you to it—” He started to get up, but I reached for him and took his wrist in my hand.
